A referendum is taking place in Belarus today on whether to change the constitution to allow President Alexander Lukashenko to stand for a third term.
Under present rules, Mr Lukashenko, 50, has to retire when his second term of office ends in 2006.
He argues that for him to stay on would be good for Belarus, but opposition groups accuse him of wanting to remain president for life.
Mr Lukashenko's rule has been characterised by the closure of opposition media outlets and the prosecution of opponents.
In advance of today’s polling, both the United States and the European Union questioned the fairness of the election, which is being monitored by observers from the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe.
